Machine for stamp-canceling and postmarking letters



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

I .M. J. DOLPHIN.

MACHINE FOB. STAMP GANGBLING- AND POSTMARKING LETTERS. No. 517,037.

Patented Mar. 27, 1894.

ATTORNEYS,

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

M. J. DOLPHIN. MACHINE FOB. STAMP GANOBLING AND POSTMARKING LETTERS.

No. 517,037. Patentd Mar. 27, 1894.

ill

I 311mm m WITNESS Q V 'l VENTO I Wm, a g BY ATTOR N EYS.

NITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

MATTHEW J. DOLPHIN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

MAC HINE FOR STAMP-CANCELING AND POSTMARKING LETTERS.

. SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 517,037, dated March 27, 1894.

Application filed May 23. 1891. Serial No. 393,861. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MATTHEVVJ. DOLPHIN, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Machines for Stamp- Canceling and Postmarking Letters, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in machines for post-marking and stamp-cancelling traveling mail matter of that particular class in which the marker is normally at rest and is brought into action by the movement of an engaging finger or trip projecting into the letter path; and it has for its object the production of a device which is simple, economical, highly efficient, strong and durable.

To this end it consists, essentially, in a marker, a stop for preventing movement of the marker, a mail matter engaging finger or trip consisting of a single pivoted bar having one extremity connected to the stop for preventing movement of the marker, and the other projecting into the letter path andadapted to make contact with the mail matter.

The invention furthermore consists in the combination with the marker of the engaging finger consisting of a single bar having a plate removably secured at one extremity and adapted to make contact with the mail matter, a pivot journal at the opposite extremity, and a lengthwise slot between its extremities, and in the detail construction and arrangement of the parts, all as hereinafter more particularly described and pointed out in the claims.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which like letters indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 illustrates a top plan view of my invention, partly in section, the engaging finger or trip being shown as in its normal position. Fig. 2 is a similar view to Fig. 1, illustrating the engaging finger as in its position assumed when rocked by the mail matter to permit movement of the marker. Figs. 3 and 4 are isometric perspectives of the engaging finger or trip. Figs. 5 and 6 are detail vertical sectional Views taken on opposite sides of line 56 Fig. 1, and Fig. 7 is an inverted detail horizontal sectional view taken on line 7-7, Fig. 6.

-A- represents the table of a letter-marking machine which is of any desirable form, size and construction applicable for supporting the various parts of my invention.

B- is the marker loosely mounted on a shaft b journaled in the table -A, and C an oppositely arranged pressure roller mounted on a bracket cpivoted at-c'- to the table A-.

B is a drum which is mounted above the marker B, is secured rigidly to the constantly rotating shaft b-,'and adapted to be intermittently connected to the marker by means of a clutch -D- for actuating the marker and bringing it into operation upon the mail matter. The clutch D- consists of a pair of clutch dogs -d-- pivoted atdto'the top face b'- of the marker and drawn normally against the adjacent inner peripheral wall of the drum -B- by springs -d having one end secured to an arm on the clutch dogs and the other to a pin d on the top face b-. Connecting the dogs -d is a lever d loosely journaled on the shaft -b and formed at its opposite extremities with slots -d which receive pins --d upon the respective clutch dogs Upon one of these clutch dogs dis a depending shoulder E, Fig. 7 shown also by dotted lines at Figs. 1 and 2, which is normally engaged by a stop -F- for preventing further movement of the marker, by rocking the clutch dogs against the action of the springs -d out of operative engagement with the constantly rotatingdrum-B' until the stop -F- is withdrawn from the shoulder -E, whereupon the clutch dogs automatically engage the drum B'- which rotates the marker and brings it into action upon the mail matter.

The form of marker and means for intermittently rotating the same as just described are that shown, described and claimed in the Patent No. 408,401, issued August 6, 1889, to A. Bertram, and form no part of my present invention. It will be readily understood, however, that the particular construction of the marker and the means for rotating the ICD same upon the release of the said stop for preventing movement of the marker form no essential feature of my invention and may be of any desirable construction, providing that the marker is normally held from movement by a stop, which, when withdrawn,permits the movement and consequent operation of the marker.

-H--- and I- represent feed rollers, the former being journaled in an arm -hprojecting from the bracket -c-- and the latter in a plate --J- supported upon posts j which rise from the table 'A.

The finger or trip K-- for making contact with the moving mail matter and withdrawing the stop --F from engagement with the shoulder E-- to permit movement of the marker, consists of a single bar which is pivoted to the plate J-- upon a pin 7cmovable in a lengthwise slot --7c'-- in the bar and formed witha head suificiently large to cover said slot k for preventing entrance of dust which tends to prevent operation of the trip, and is arranged substantially perpendicular to the path of the mail matter with one extremity projecting beyond the edge of the plate --J into said path for making contact with the mail matter. This position of the engaging finger or trip is effected by two springs n and --O. One, -'n, draws the forward extremity of the trip against a stop and is arranged with one extremity secured to the tripat a point interposed between its forward extremity and the pivotal pin-7t; the other, O, forces the trip lengthwise causing its end to project beyond the plate -J- into the letter path and is disposed with one extremity bearing against the rear end of the trip K- and the other mounted on a support 0-- which carries an adjusting screw -o-.

As preferably constructed, the stop -F- consists of a laterally extending shoulder upon a lever -F- pivoted at -fto the table -J-- and connected to the finger or trip -K by a link -F having one end hinged to said lever --F' at -F and the other hinged at --F to a pivot bearing ---F in the rear.

In order to insure a sufficiently positive contact of the finger K- with the mail matter to effect the desired movement of the stop -F--, the free end of this finger preferably extends into a recess or slot -Z- Figs. 1 and 5 provided on the guide L mounted upon the arm hand forming a portion of the opposite wall of the letter path. Moreover, as seen in Figs. 1, 2, and 6, the front edge -j'- of the plate J-- inclines in either a straight or curved line toward the projecting end of the finger K--- and further tends to effect a positive engagement of the mail matter with said finger, as, owing to the taper of said edge, there is no liability of the rear portion of the letter bearing against said edge and forcing its front end toward the extreme end of said finger thus depressing the finger the stop F- from engagement with the shoulder --E on one of the clutch dogs -d, whereupon the drum -B- starts the marker and brings it into registration with the letter. Meanwhile, as soon as the letter passes the end of the trip which it has rocked forward out of its path, the spring -n-- instantly forces the stop -F- into position to engage the shoulder -E when sufficiently revolved, since the spring n-- is of greater power than the spring -O- and consequently draws the trip into engagement with the stop shoulder -k and thereby depresses the trip K- against the action of the spring --O, as, owing to the presence of the letter, the trip is unable to project into the path of the mail matter. At the instantthe rear end of the letter passes the trip -K, the spring O forces the same upward into theletter path and thus compels each piece of mail matter to operate the trip for permitting movement of the marker.

Upon practical operation of my invention, 1 have perceived that, owing to the grit contained in paper used as mail matter, the end of the trip or engaging finger becomes sufficiently worn so that it does not project beyond the edge --j of the table --J- a sufficient distance to bring about movement of the marker with the passage of every distinct piece of mail matter. To obviate this extremel y objectionable disadvantage, I provide the end of the finger with an engaging plate -K- formed of hardened material, as tempered steel, removably but rigidly secured to a suitable bearing face of said finger by a screw -k and arranged with its rear extremity abutting against the shoulder -7c at the front end of the lever. It is therefore evident that as one wearing plate becomes worn, it may be quickly replaced by another at a trifling expense, thus increasing the efficiency and convenience of the marker, since it requires no skilled laborer to remove and replace one of the wearing plates -K'--.

As indicated in the drawings the bearing face of the finger or trip and the engaging face of the plate -K are preferably inclined toward the path of the mail matter in order to insure movement of the finger or trip by the mail matter.

The operation of my invention will be readily perceived from the foregoing description and upon reference to the drawings, and it is evident that the parts are very simple and their action positive and elfective.

I do not herein limit myself to the exact detail constructionand arrangement of the parts as they may besomewhat changed without departing from the spirit of my invention,

IIO

neither do I seek to claim in this application a trip or engaging finger composed of two parts one movable lengthwise upon the other, as shown in the Patent No. 408,401, issued to A. Bertram, nor a trip consisting of a single lever pivoted to a link carrying a cam vfor forcing a constantly rotating clutch section into engagement with a corresponding clutch section secured to a marker normally at rest as shown in the Patent No. 408,4ll,issued to George W. Hey August 6, 1889.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination with a marker for the mail matter; of an engaging finger or trip for the mail matter consisting of a pivoted bar formed with a lengthwise slot and provided at one extremity with a plate removably secured thereto and arranged to make contact with the mail matter, a pivot for registering with said lengthwise slot, a spring for moving the finger or trip lengthwisely, and a'connection between said trip and marker for bringing about the operation of the marker,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In combination with a marker for the mail matter and a stop for preventing movement of the marker; of a finger or trip for the mail matter consisting of a pivoted bar having one extremity adapted to make contact with the mail matter, a plate as J having its edge at one side of the extremity of said finger or trip and inclining toward said extremity for forming an inclining wall for the letter path, a spring for moving the'finger or trip lengthwisely and a connection between the engaging finger or trip and said stop, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination with a marker for the mail matter; of an engaging finger or trip for the marker consisting of a pivoted bar provided with a lengthwise slot and arranged with one extremity adapted to make contact with the mail matter, a pivot for registering with the lengthwise slot in the bar, a spring for moving the finger or trip lengthwisely and a connection between the opposite extremity of said trip and the marker for bringing about the operation of the marker, substantially as and for the purposedescribed.

4. The combination with a marker for the mail matter; of an engaging finger or trip for the mail matter consisting of a pivoted bar formed with a lengthwise slot and provided at one extremity with a plate removably se cured thereto, and having its engaging face disposed in a plane inclining toward the path of the mail matter and arranged to make contact therewith, a pivot for registering with said lengthwise slot, a spring for moving the finger or trip lengthwisely and a connection between said trip and marker for bringing about the operation of the marker, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. The combination with a marker for the mail matter, of an engaging finger and a stop for preventing movement of the marker; of an engaging finger or trip for the mail matter consisting of a single pivoted bar having one extremity adapted to make contact with the mail matter, and having its central portion formed with a lengthwise slot for receiving the pivot of said finger or trip, springs connected to the finger or trip for rocking the same on its pivot and moving the same lengthwisely and a connection having one end hinged to the opposite extremity of the engaging finger or trip and the other end connected to said stop, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination with a marker for the mail matter and a stop for preventing movement of the marker; of an engaging finger or trip for the mail matter consisting of a piv oted bar provided at one extremity with the removable plate rigidly secured theretoland having its central portion formed with a lengthwise slot for receiving the pivot of said finger or trip, springs connected to the finger or trip for rocking the same on its pivot and moving the same lengthwisely, and a connection having one end hinged to the opposite extremity of the engaging finger or trip and the other end hinged to said stop, substantially as and for the purpose described.

"7. The combination with a marker for the mail matter and a stop for preventing movement ofthe marker; of an engaging finger or trip for the mail matter consisting of a pivoted bar provided at one extremity with a bearing face inclining toward the path of the mail matter andwith a shoulder k at the base of said face and having its central portion formed with a lengthwise slot for receiving the pivot of said finger or trip, a plate removably secured to said bearing face of the engaging finger or trip, and having one extremity bear ing against the shoulder k and an engaging face inclining toward the path of the mail matter, springs connected to the finger or trip for rocking the same on its pivot and moving the same lengthwisely, and a connection having one end hinged to the opposite extremity of the engaging finger or trip and the other end hinged to said stop, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

8. The herein described engaging finger or trip, the same consisting of a single pivoted bar having a plate K' removably secured at one extremity, a pivot bearing F 'at the opposite end, and aslot kinterposed between the plate K'- and the pivot bearing F substantially as specified.

9. The combination with an intermittently operating marker for the mail matter, and a stopfor the marker; of the herein described engaging finger or trip, the same consisting of a single pivoted bar havinga plate -K"- removably secured at one extremity, a pivot bearing F at the opposite end, and a slot --7cinterposed, between the plate K'' IIO and the bearing F substantially as set forth.

10. The combination with a plate at one side of the mail matter path; of the herein described engaging finger or trip mounted upon said plate, the same consisting of a single bar pivoted upon said plate with one end projecting beyond its edge, a lengthwise slot in the finger or trip for receiving its pivot, and springs for forcing said bar to its normal position upon the passage of the letter, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination with a wall for the mail matter path provided with a groove; of a finger or trip consisting of a single pivoted bar mounted on the opposite side of the mail matter path and provided at one extremity with a removable plate -K- projecting into said groove, and having a lengthwise slot --70'- and a marker connected to saidfinger or trip whereby the operation of the marker is controlled by the trip, substantially as described.

12. The combination of the herein described finger or trip consisting of a bar having one extremity adapted to make contact with the mail and formed with a lengthwise slot -7c'- therein, a pivot registered with said slot and provided with a head sufficiently large to cover said lengthwise slot 0, and springs for resetting the trip to its normal position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name, in the presence of two attesting witnesses, at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, this 20th day of May, 1891.

MATTHEW J. DOLPHIN.

Witnesses:

CLARK H. NORTON, L. M. BAXTER. 

